Ducks News

Abdominal Injury Keeps Pahlsson at Home

Beginning tonight in Edmonton and for the duration of their three-game Canadian road trip, the Ducks will be without the services of Samuel Pahlsson.

Vital to the Ducks as their top checking center and best faceoff man, Pahlsson did not accompany the team on the trip and will instead rehabilitate an abdominal injury in OrangeCounty.

The injury has been a recurring issue for Pahlsson as of late, as the seven-year veteran had been given days off of practice earlier in December to heal., Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle felt the Christmas break and current road trip was an opportune time to give his ailing center an extended break that should number around 10 days off.

Previous to this season, Pahlsson had been the symbol of health. One of the NHL’s most durable players, Pahlsson played in a then-team record 275 straight games (broke by former Duck Andy McDonald earlier this season) before missing the start of this season after sports hernia surgery.

In looking for a short-term replacement on the team’s checking line, Todd Marchant got the first look in Wednesday’s practice as he skated with Travis Moen and Rob Niedermayer. Rookie Ryan Carter may also get a look with the unit during the trip.

Even another possibility would be Brian Sutherby, but the center continues to be day-to-day with a strained groin muscle. The nagging injury has limited Sutherby to just one game played (Dec. 12 vs. Vancouver) in the Ducks last 10 contests.